Returnees Recount Ordeals, Claim Migrants Treated Like Slaves In South Africa

Nigerian returnees have shared emotional accounts of the difficulties they faced while living in South Africa, describing years marked by uncertainty, limited opportunities, discrimination and fears over periodic anti-foreigner sentiments.

The returnees, Emilia Godwin and Sandra Adeniyi, who spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend after arriving in Nigeria, recounted experiences they said underscored the challenges many Nigerians and other foreign nationals encounter while trying to build lives in South Africa.

Godwin, who said she relocated to South Africa in 2014, the journey was one defined by hardship, isolation and a lingering feeling that migrants often had no one to advocate for them.

“My name is Emilia Godwin. We had no one to speak for us,” she said, reflecting on what she described as years of struggle.

According to her, many Nigerians lived under difficult conditions and often felt vulnerable because they lacked the support systems needed to address their concerns.

Godwin alleged that foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, were frequently subjected to ridicule and unfair treatment, adding that many were reluctant to report incidents or challenge perceived injustices for fear of repercussions.

She described a situation in which migrants often felt powerless and marginalized, claiming that some individuals endured intimidation and harassment while attempting to navigate life in a foreign country.

Beyond the social challenges, she said the emotional toll of living far from home and coping with uncertainty made life increasingly difficult.

Godwin also spoke of frustrations surrounding family life and integration, claiming that some Nigerian families encountered obstacles while trying to settle and establish stable lives in their host communities.

Although many of her allegations could not be independently verified, she maintained that the cumulative effect of those experiences convinced her that returning to Nigeria was the best decision for her future.

After spending more than a decade in South Africa, she said she had long desired to return home but lacked the opportunity to do so until recently.

“This is an opportunity I have been waiting for,” she said, noting that her return marked the end of a difficult chapter in her life.

She also recounted challenges she faced during immigration-related processes before leaving South Africa, describing them as stressful and time-consuming.

Despite those difficulties, Godwin expressed gratitude to officials at the Nigerian mission, whom she credited with assisting her throughout the process and helping to facilitate her return.

Reflecting on her experiences, she said she had no plans to return to South Africa.

“The experiences I had there are enough for me. I have decided to remain in Nigeria,” she said.

For Sandra Adeniyi, the challenges were somewhat different, saying having lived in South Africa for approximately 11 years, she arrived in the country as a child and completed her primary and secondary education there.

Unlike Godwin, she said she did not personally experience severe discrimination. However, she acknowledged being aware of xenophobic attitudes and incidents affecting other foreign nationals.

“I have been in South Africa since I was a child. I studied from primary school through high school,” she said.

According to her, one of the most significant difficulties faced by many foreign nationals was access to higher education and opportunities for advancement.

Adeniyi explained that after completing secondary school in 2024, she hoped to continue her studies but encountered obstacles linked to her immigration status.

“I wanted to go further with my education, but there were challenges. If I wanted to apply for certain opportunities or bursaries, I needed documentation that I did not have,” she said.

The situation, she noted, left many young foreign nationals uncertain about their future despite having spent most of their lives in South Africa.

She said the inability to access educational opportunities ultimately strengthened her resolve to return to Nigeria and pursue her ambitions from home.

“I have wanted to come back for a very long time. This gives me a chance to continue my education and move forward with my life,” she added.

Although Adeniyi said she did not directly suffer serious discrimination, she acknowledged that xenophobia remained a recurring concern among foreign nationals.

She recalled receiving reports of discrimination from students during her time as a prefect in secondary school and said discussions around anti-foreigner sentiments were common.

“I saw reports from students who said they had experienced discrimination. It was something people talked about,” she said.

She also pointed to social media discussions and periodic anti-immigration protests that have, over the years, fueled anxiety among migrant communities.

According to her, fears of renewed attacks against foreigners often resurfaced during periods of social and economic tension.

While she stressed that she had not personally witnessed attacks in her immediate community, she said many foreign nationals remained apprehensive whenever reports of anti-foreigner protests emerged.

Despite the difficulties they described, both women expressed optimism about their return to Nigeria and the opportunities they hope to pursue.

For Godwin, returning home represents a chance to rebuild her life in a familiar environment after more than a decade abroad.

Adeniyi said it was an opportunity to continue her education and pursue goals she felt were increasingly difficult to achieve in South Africa.